What are the early symptoms of benign bone tumors?

Tumors are very scary diseases for people because of their very high mortality rate. They are almost considered to be an incurable type of modern disease. Therefore, having a tumor is generally equivalent to death. However, there is a type of tumor that is benign and can be treated. For example, benign bone tumor is a relatively mild disease. What are the early symptoms of benign bone tumor?

Bone tumors are tumors that occur in bones or their accompanying tissues. There are benign and malignant bone tumors. Benign bone tumors are easy to cure and have a good prognosis, while malignant bone tumors develop rapidly, have a poor prognosis, and a high mortality rate. Malignant bone tumors are divided into primary and secondary. Malignant tumors from other tissues or organs in the body that metastasize to the bones through the blood circulation and lymphatic system are secondary malignant bone tumors. There is another type of lesion called tumor-like lesions. The tissue of tumor-like lesions does not have the morphological characteristics of tumor cells, but its ecology and behavior are destructive like tumors. They are generally localized and easy to cure.

1. Pain

It is the main symptom of bone tumor in the early stage. The disease is mild and intermittent at the beginning. As the disease progresses, the pain may gradually worsen and develop into persistent pain. Most patients experience increased pain at night, which affects their sleep. The pain may radiate to distant places.

2. Swelling or lumps

Tumors located under the periosteum or superficially appear earlier, and bone expansion and deformation can be felt. If the tumor penetrates beyond the bone, it may produce a fixed soft tissue mass with a smooth or uneven surface.

3. Dysfunction

In the later stages of bone tumors, the function of the affected area will be impaired due to pain and swelling, which may be accompanied by muscle atrophy in the corresponding area.

4. Compression symptoms

Tumors that grow into the cranial cavity and nasal cavity can compress the brain and nasal tissues, resulting in symptoms of cranial compression and difficulty breathing; pelvic tumors can compress the rectum and bladder, causing difficulty in defecation and urination; spinal tumors can compress the spinal cord and cause paralysis.

5. Deformity

The tumor affects the development and firmness of the limb bones and causes deformities, which are more obvious in the lower limbs.

6. Pathological fracture

Even the slightest external force at the tumor site can easily cause fractures, which are accompanied by severe swelling and pain at the fracture site. Pathological fractures of the spine are often accompanied by paraplegia.